Special Education

Help Line
1-877-914-MOM2 (1-877-914-6662)
“Mom 2 Mom” is a 24-hour helpline for mothers of children with special needs that was recently launched by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). The women who serve as peer counselors when answering calls have their own children with special needs. By dialing 1-877-914-6662, a mother or father of a child with special needs will receive the following services:

Mom 2 Mom Peer Support– M2M Peer Supporters will be available to provide telephone peer support to callers in need. Moms of special needs children trained in peer counseling and crisis support will offer peer support, explain resources, and explore your needs. Mom 2 Mom peer support is also available through their website for a live chat experience.

Mom 2 Mom Clinical Assessment – M2M Clinicians will be on the helpline as part of the team of clinical professionals available to do telephonic assessment and gauge the depression, anxiety, and family and marital issues, and so forth, that may be impacting your life.

Mom 2 Mom Network – A M2M database of specially trained service providers will be available for referrals for your mental health needs.

MOM 2 MOM Support Groups – Within your communities, Mom Peer Supporters will be available every month for Mom 2 Mom support groups.

Glossary of Frequently Used TermsCase Manager – A school district employee who coordinates meetings with you and appropriate school staff members. The case manager also serves as your contact when you have questions regarding your child's special education program and services.

Child Study Team Evaluation – A way of collecting information about your child’s special learning needs, strengths, and interests. An evaluation is used to help make decisions about whether your child is eligible for special education and related services. The evaluation will include administering individual tests, observing your child, a review of records, talking with you and your child. The evaluation may include the following: an educational assessment, health appraisal, psychological assessment, social assessment, a speech/language assessment, and any other pertinent medical evaluations.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) – This is a written plan that details what the child will be taught and documents what will actually be provided to the child through special education and related services.

Preschool Disabled – Children ages three to five,with an identified disabling condition and/or measurable developmental impairment, who require and would benefit from special education and related services.

Related Services – Services which children with educational disabilities require to benefit from their educational programs. Related services include the following: counseling the child,training the parents about the educational needs of their child,speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy,transportation or recreation, as well as other appropriate services which the child needs to benefit from an education as required by theirIEP.

Special Education – Instruction and needed related services modified or designed, at no cost to parents/guardians, to meet individual needs of a child with disabilities, including instruction in classrooms, homes, hospitals, and other institutions.